Sheet or coil cooling tank



Oct. 27, 1964 D. L. MCKINNEY 3,154,085

SHEET OR COIL. COOLING TANK 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2, 1960 INVENTOR DONALD L... MC \NNEY r I N (I) i n BY mm W 00 M, ATTOR EYS Oct. 27, 1964 D. MCKINNEY SHEET OR 0011. 000mm; TANK 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 2, 1960 INVENTOR DONALD L. Mc K\NNE.Y

Oct. 27, 1964 D. 1.. MCKINNEY SHEET OR con 000mm TANK 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1960 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 27, 1964 D. L. MCKINNEY SHEET OR 0011. COOLING TANK 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 2, 1960 INVENTOR DONALD L.. Mc KINNEY wdnm. s 8

, ATTORNEYS Oct. 27, 1964 D. L. MCKINNEY SHEET OR con. COOLING TANK 6 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Sept. 2, 1960 INVENTOR DONALD L. MQKNNEY Oct. 27, 1964 D. MCKINNEY SHEET OR COIL COOLING TANK 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 2, 1960 wHnH INVENTOR DONALD L. McKJNNEY 3 p BY W 0,

Val; W 55,5

United States Patent 3,154,085 SHEET R COIL COOLING TANK Donald L. McKinney, Hazelcrest, 11]., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 53,718 19 Claims. (Cl. 134-107) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in cooling tanks for sheet or coil metal stock, and more particularly relates to a novel cooling tank which is to be used in combination with a flame curing operation for curing coatings on metal sheets and coil stock.

Heretofore, coatings on metal sheets and coils have been cured by passing the sheets or coils through elongated ovens wherein hot air is blown against the sheets or coils to effect a curing of the coating thereon. This procedure is relatively slow and requires very bulky and expensive equipment. It has been proposed to cure the coating on the sheets or coils by the direct application of flame against the coated surface. The application of the flame more rapidly heats the coating and results in a rapid curing thereof. However, the flame treatment also raises the temperature of the metal to a much higher temperature than that heretofore involved in the normal coating curing by the passage of the sheets or coils through an oven. As a result, it is highly desirable that the metal, as well as the temperature of the coating, be quickly reduced subsequent to the curing operation to prevent an overcuring of the coating and thus permit a better control of the coating curing operation. It is to this end that the present invention is directed.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a cooling tank which may receive either metal sheets or coils and which has disposed therein water at a controlled temperature whereby as the metal sheets or coils pass through the cooling tank, the sheets or coils are rapidly cooled to the desired temperature to thus discontinue the coating curing operation and to set the coating.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cooling tank for receiving metal sheets or coil stock, the cooling tank intended to have water disposed therein and the metal sheet or coil stock to pass through the water, and

the cooling tank having novel conveying and guiding means to assure the proper movement of the metal sheets or coil stock through the water within the cooling tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel conveying system for use in conjunction with a quench tank wherein metal sheets or coil stock are passed beneath the surface of the water within the quench tank, the conveying system including guides over which the metal sheets or coil stock pass and magnetic means disposed beneath the guides for attracting the sheets and coil stock and holding the same down against the guides. Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel conveying system for moving metal sheets and coil stock in a concave path through the cooling liquid of a quench tank, the conveying system including a plurality of drive rollers associated with guides for underlying the sheets and supporting the same, and the guide rollers being provided with magnetic means for attract ing the metal of the sheets or coil stock and holding the same down against the guides, the magnetic means of the drive rollers providing the necessary driving connections between the drive rollers and the sheets or coil stock,

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel quench apparatus which includes a quench tank and means for guiding a metal sheet and coil stock through the liquid of the quench tank in a generally concave path, and there being provided means for holding the sheets "ice or coil stock down, which means include jets of the quench liquid directed against the upper surface of the sheet or coil stock.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel quench apparatus which includes a quench tank having a quench liquid therein and through which metal sheets or coil stock are to be passed in a concave path, and there being provided means for urging the sheets or coil stock through the quench liquid along the concave path, the means including drive rollers, the conveying means also including a pair of squeegee roller disposed at the exit end of the quench tank and being driven in unison with the drive rollers, the squeegee rollers removing a major portion of the quench liquid adhering to the surface of the sheets or coil stock.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel quench apparatus for rapidly cooling thin metal sheets or coil stock, the quench apparatus including a quench tank having entrance and exit ends and a quench liquid disposed within the tank, which quench liquid the sheets or coil stock are to be passed through, and means for controlling the temperature of the quench liquid within the quench tank, including a cool quench liquid supply adjacent the entrance end of the quench tank and a quench liquid drain adjacent the exit end of the quench tank, together with a quench liquid recirculating system whereby the temperature of the quench liquid in the several areas of the quench tank may be controlled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel conveyor for conveying metal sheets and coil stock through a liquid beneath the surface of the liquid, the conveying means being in the form of drive rolls and each of the drive rolls having at least one roller portion in the form of sheet attracting magnets, the sheet attracting magnets including a positive magnet part, a negative magnet part and an intermediate insulating roller part.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinatfer appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the quench tank and shows the general arrangement of the components thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the quench tank of FIG- URE 1 and shows further the details of the various components thereof.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the quench tank at the entrance end thereof and shows the details of the sheet guidance means thereof.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the exit end of the quench tank and shows the general details of the sheet guidance means at the exit end thereof and the squeegee rolls for removing the quench liquid from the sheets.

FIGURES is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1, and shows the general details of construction of the quench tank adjacent the entrance end thereof, as well as the general details of one of the conveyor rolls for effecting the movement of the sheets through the quench tank.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5, and shows the specific details of the means for guiding and driving the sheets at the entrance end of the quench tank, as well as the details of an initial spray which is directed on the heated sheets to effect an initial cooling thereof.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE l, and shows the specific details of the quench tank in the central portion thereof.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG- URE 2, and shows the specific details of mounting of guide means for the sheets.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG- URE 2, and shows the details of the mounting of the guide of FIGURE 8 on the opposite side of the quench tank.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 1010 of FIGURE 1, and shows generally the details of the quench tank adjacent the exit end thereof.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 1111 of FIGURE 1, and shows the details of the quench tank at the exit end thereof.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view, taken along the line 1212 of FIGURE 11, and shows the specific details of the guide intermediate the two squeegee roll assemblies.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view, taken along the line 1313 of FIGURE 2, and shows generally the arrangement of the drive for the drive rolls of the sheet conveying means.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view, showing the details of a water jet type sheet hold-down means.

In describing the structure and operation of the present invention, reference hereinafter will be made to only metal sheets. However, it is to be understood that the invention will operate equally as well with metal disposed in coil form in lieu of individual sheets.

In the drawings, the quench apparatus is generally referred to by the numeral 15, and includes a quench tank, generally referred to by the numeral 16. The quench tank 16 is generally rectangular in outline and includes a bottom 17, sides 18 and 20, and ends 21 and 22. It is to be noted that the side 20 projects above the side 18 for a purpose to be described in detail hereinafter.

As is best shown in FIGURE 1, the quench tank 16 is supported by a plurality of supports, generally referred to by the numerals 23, 24 and 25. The construction of these three supports is identical, and only the details of the support 24 will be described here. With reference to FIGURE 7, it will be seen that the support 24 includes a pair of standards 26 which are provided at the lower ends thereof with floor engaging feet 27. A bracket 28 is secured to the upper end of each standard 26 with the brackets 28 being in transverse alignment. A horizontal member 29 extends between the upper ends of the standards 26 and is suitably secured to the brackets 28. The bottom 17 of the quench tank 16 rests directly upon the members 29 and the quench tank 16 is thus supported thereby.

The frame structure for the quench apparatus also includes a pair of standards 30 projecting upwardly on opposite sides of the quench tank 16 at the right hand end thereof, as viewed in FIGURE 1. Each of the standards 30 is also provided with a suitable foot 31 for engaging a floor. The standards 30 extend alongside the opposite sides of the quench tank 16 and are suitably secured thereto.

Another pair of standards 32 is disposed to the right of the standards 30 and each of the standards 32 is provided at the lower end thereof with a suitable foot 33. The standards 30 and 32 disposed at each side of the quench tank 16 have their upper ends connected together by a longitudinal frame member 34 and are braced relative to each other by a gusset 35. Upper portions of the standards 32 are also connected together by a transverse member 36.

The quench tank 16 is provided with a plurality of baffles which include a baffle 37 disposed adjacent the end 21 and which extends from the bottom 17 up to approximately the water line of the quench Water within the quench tank 16. A second baffle 38 is disposed in the central area of the quench tank 16 and extends down from above the water line to a point approximately midheight of the quench water within the quench tank. A third bafile 40 is disposed to the right of the baffle 38 and extends upwardly from the bottom 17 of the quench tank 16 to a point above the lower edge of the baflle 38. A fourth baffle 41 is disposed adjacent the right end 22 of the quench tank 16 and extends upwardly from the bottom of the quench tank to approximately the water line of the quench water within the quench tank 16.

The quench tank 16 also has an extension tank generally referred to by the numeral 42. The extension tank 42 is disposed between the supports 30 and 32 and is supported by the longitudinal frame members 34. The extension tank 42 has an upper left hand portion 43, as viewed in FIGURE 1, which extends through the end wall 22 of the quench tank 16 at about the water line in the quench tank 16 for returning quench water to the quench tank 16. The extension tank 42 also has an upper right hand extension 44 which extends to the right beyond the standards 32 and terminates in an upstanding end wall 45.

The metal sheets to be cooled are conveyed through the quench water of the quench tank 16 in a generally concave path, as indicated by the arrangement of drive rolls in FIGURE 1. Each of the drive rolls is generally referred to by the numeral 46 and the details thereof are best shown in FIGURE 7. All of the drive rolls are identical, with the exception of the first drive roll, which is disposed adjacent the left end or entrance end of the quench tank 16, and which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 47. The differences between the drive rolls 46 and the drive roll 47 will be described here inafter.

With reference to FIGURE 7, it will be seen that a typical drive roll 46 includes a bearing unit 48 carried by the quench tank side wall 18. A similar bearing unit 49 is carried by the quench tank side wall 20. A shaft 50 is rotatably journaled in the bearing units 48 and 49 and extends to the right out through the bearing unit 49. A plurality of drive roll assemblies, each generally referred to by the numeral 51, is mounted on the shaft 50 and is spaced longitudinally thereof.

Each of the drive roll assemblies 51 includes a magnetic roll part 52 and a magnetic roll part 53, the magnetic roll parts 52 and 53 being separated by a disk 54 of non-magnetic material, such as nylon, etc. The disk 54 is part of a sleeve 55 mounted on the shaft 50 and carrying the roll parts 52, 53. It will be readily apparent that the roll parts 52, 53 will set up a magnetic field and will serve to attract a metal sheet thereto so as to both urge the metal sheet downwardly towards the drive roll 46 of which they are a part and to impart a driving force on the metal sheet through the rotation of the drive roll. The magnetic poles in roll part 52 are orientated with respect to the magnetic poles in roll part 53 in N-S adjacent relation such that the roll parts attract each other. For the sake of convenience roll part 52 is indicated as being N, and roll part 53 as being S, and therefore attracted toward each other.

Previously, it was mentioned that the drive roll 47 differed from the drive roll 46. The difference is readily ascertained upon viewing FIGURE 2 of the drawings. The drive roll 47 is provided with seven of the drive roll assemblies 51, whereas each of the drive rolls 46 is provided with only three of the drive roll assemblies 51. In other aspects, the drive roll 47 is identical with the drive rolls 46.

The conveyor system for the quench tank 16 also includes an entrance drive roll, generally referred to by the numeral 56. The entrance drive roll 56 is identical with the drive rolls 46 and is positioned in advance of the quench tank 16, as is best shown in FIGURE 3. The entrance drive roll 56 is carried by a frame 57 of a preceding conveyor assembly (not shown) and is supported from the frame 57 by means of suitable mounting brackets 58 which support the bearing assemblies 48.

The conveyor system also includes an exit drive roll, generally referred to by the numeral 60, and best illustrated in FIGURE 2. The conveyor drive roll 60 is identical with the drive rolls 46 and differs therefrom only in that it is mounted beyond the right hand end of the quench tank 16. The bearing assemblies 48 for the exit drive roll 60 are mounted on the frame members 34, as is best shown in FIGURE 4.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 2, the exit drive roll 60 is driven by a shaft 61 which may be an extension of the shaft 50 thereof. The shaft 61 will be coupled to any conventional drive unit which will drive the drive rolls 46, 47, 56 and 60 at the desired speeds.

The end of each of the shafts of the various drive rolls which project beyond its bearing assembly 49 is provided with a pair of sprockets 62, 63. The sprockets 62 are all in one plane, and the sprockets 63 are all in another plane. It will be seen from FIGURE 2 that first an adjacent pair of the sprockets 63 are connected together by a drive chain 64 and then an adjacent pair of the sprockets 62 are connected together by a drive chain 65. Thus, the drive chains 64 and 65 are alternated and are in overlapping relation. The sizes of the sprockets 62 and 63 increase from the exit drive roll 60 to the entrance drive roll 56 so that the drive rolls of the conveyor system increase in speed from the entrance end of the quench tank 16 to the exit end thereof. As is best shown in FIGURE 7, the sprockets 62 and 63 and the drive chains 64 and 65 are housed in a housing 66 secured to the side wall 20. The housing 66 is concave on the lower surface thereof, as is best shown in FIGURE 1.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 2, suitable sheet guides are associated with the drive rolls 46, 47, 56 and 60. It is to be understood that the sheet guides define a smooth concave path which the sheets are to follow as they pass through the quench liquid of the quench tank 16. A typical guide structure, generally referred to by the numeral 59, is illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9. At the desired longitudinal position for the guide structure 59, the side wall 20 of the quench tank 16 is provided adjacent the upper edge thereof with an angle bracket 67. A second angle bracket 68 is secured to the angle bracket 67, as by rivets 69. A hanger 70 is secured to the angle bracket 68 by means of fasteners 71, which fasteners pass through vertically elongated slots 72 in the hanger 70 to permit vertical adjustment of the hanger 70. An angle bracket 73 is secured to the lower end of the hanger 70 and projects inwardly towards the center of the tank therefrom. A support bar 74 has one end thereof secured to the angle bracket 73 and extends transversely across the quench tank 16.

In FIGURE 9, the mounting of the opposite end of the support bar 74 is illustrated. At the proper longitudinal position, an angle bracket 75 is secured to a reinforcing member 76 for the upper edge of the quench tank side wall 18. A hanger 77 is vertically adjustably secured to the angle bracket 75 by means of bolts 73 which pass through elongated slots 80 in the angle bracket 75. An angle bracket 81 is carried by the lower end of the hanger 77 and supports the end of the support bar 74 remote from the quench tank side Wall 20.

The guide structure 59 also includes a plurality of individual sheet guide elements 82 which are elongated and which have generally rounded upper surfaces, the guide elements 82 being positioned at the desired angle for the desired sheet travel by the angular relationship of the angle brackets 73 and 81 with respect to their respective hangers. Each of the guide elements 82 is provided on the underside thereof with a mounting block 83 which is suitably secured to the support bar 74.

As is best shown in FIGURE 2, the number of guide elements 82 carried by each of the support bars 74 varies, and the guide elements 82 of adjacent guide assemblies 59 are staggered.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 in particular, it will be seen that the guide assembly 59 disposed in advance of the entrance drive roll 56 is supported from the frame members 57 by means of upstanding brackets 84. The guide assembly 59 will otherwise be identical with the other gmide assemblies. At this time, it is pointed out that the length of the guide elements 82 may vary in the various guide assemblies.

After the metal sheets have passed through the quench tank 16, it is desired to remove the quench liquid therefrom. To this end, there are provided two sets of squeegee rolls, the first set being generally referred to by the numeral 85 and the second set being generally referred to by the numeral 86. The set of squeegee rolls 85 includes a lower squeegee roll 87 and an upper squeegee roll 88. The squeegee roll 87 is supported by a bearing block 39 disposed at each end thereof and the upper squeegee roll 88 is supported by a bearing block at each end thereof. The bearing blocks 89 and 90 are supported in a suitable guide structure 91 which extends vertically from the frame member 34. The bearing blocks 89 and 90 are retained in spaced relation by an adjustable separator 92, whereas the bearing block 90 is urged to a lowermost position by an adjustable spring assembly 93 including a spring 94 which bears against the upper surface of the bearing block 90.

The squeegee roll set 86 is identical with the squeegee roll set 35, and includes a lower squeegee roll 95 and an upper squeegee roll 96. The mounting for the squeegee rolls 95, 96 is identical to that for the squeegee rolls 87 and 88 and will not be described in detail hereinafter.

As is shown in FIGURE 2, the shaft for the lower squeegee roll 87 is provided with a sprocket 97 which is aligned with the sprocket 62 of the shaft for the drive roll 60 and is connected thereto by a drive chain 98 and thus drives the squeegee roll 87. The squeegee roll 88 is driven from the squeegee roll 87 by means of gears 99 carried by the shafts of these two squeegee rolls.

The shaft of the squeegee roll 96 is driven from the shaft of the squeegee roll 88 by a chain and sprocket drive 100. The lower squeegee roll 95 is driven from the upper squeegee roll 96 by means of meshed gears 101 carried by the shafts of these two squeegee rolls.

At this time, it is pointed out that the tank extension 42 underliesthe squeegee roll sets 85 and S6 and any water removed from the sheets passing through the individual pairs of squeegee rolls will flow into the tank extension 42.

Referring once again to FIGURES 2 and 4 in particular, it will be seen that there is a suitable housing 102. The housing 102 is disposed adjacent the ends of the sets of squeegee rolls 85, 86 and encases the driving mechanisms for the two sets.

Referring once again to FIGURE 4 in particular, it will be seen that a pair of mounting brackets extend upwardly from the frame members 34 intermediate the drive roll 60 and the first set of squeegee rolls 85, each mounting bracket being referred to by the numeral 103. The mounting brackets 103, which are in transverse alignment, support in m adjustable manner, a sheet guide 104 which is preferably of the continuous type, although it may be of a structure similar to the guide structure 66. The sheet guide 104 supports a sheet as it passes from the exit drive roll 60 in between the squeegee rolls 87, 88.

It is also to be noted that a suitable sheet guide, generally referred to by the numeral 105, is disposed intermediate the two sets of squeegee rolls 85 and 86. The details of the sheet guide 105 are best illustrated in FIGURE 12. The sheet guide 105 includes an upstanding angle bracket 106 which is secured to each of the frame members 34 adjacent the bearing block guides 91. Each of the angle brackets 106 is provided with a cutout in which there is seated a pair of vertically spaced angle members 167 which are suitably secured to the angle brackets 166 at their opposite ends. Each of the angle members 167 carries a guide element 168, the two guides 108 being disposed in opposed relation. The guide elements 108 may be in the form of continuous sheets, or may be of strip form, as desired.

ter the sheets pass through the set 86 of squeegee rolls, they pass over a final sheet guide structure 7? which is carried by suitable mounting brackets 109. The mounting brackets 109 are secured to the right hand ends of the frame members 34, as is best shown in FIGURE 4-.

The metal sheets passing into the quench tank 16 being hot and heat being removed therefrom by the quench liquid, it is necessary that the quench liquid be circulated and replaced or otherwise cooled. It has been found that the desired quench liquid temperature should be from about 80 degrees to 120 degrees F. Of course, when the line of which the quench tank is a part is first started, it may be necessary to heat the quench water in order to obtain the desired temperature.

The quench water system includes a cold water inlet 11% (FIGURE 1) to which there is connected a T-fitting 111. A first pipe 112 extends from the T-fitting 111 up through the tank bottom 17 and into the interior of the tank intermediate the tank end 21 and the baffle 37. This cold water running into the quench tank 16 fiows over the baffle 37 and moves through the quench tank 16 from left to right.

A second pipe 113 is connected to the T-fitting 111 for receiving cold water. The pipe 113, as is best shown in FIGURE 5, extends up outside of the quench tank 16 alongside the housing 66 and terminates at its upper end in a control valve 114. A horizontal pipe 115 extends from the control valve 114 into overlying relation to the quench tank 16. The pipe 115 is connected to an orifice pipe 116 which directly overlies the metal sheets as they enter into the quench water within the quench tank 16. As is best illustrated in FIGURE 6, the orifice pipe 116 is provided with openings 117 in the underside thereof so as to direct jet streams 118 of water onto the sheets immediately to the right of the drive roll 47. The sheets are supported at this time by certain of the guide assemblies 59.

It is to be understood that the relatively cold water directed onto the sheet in the form of the jet streams 118 as the sheets enter into the quench tank 16 will absorb the initial heat of the sheets. This water will flow with the cold water passing over the baffle 37 towards the right or exit end of the quench tank. It is also to be noted that the jet streams 118 are downwardly directed so as to urge the sheets down against the guide structure.

The quench tank 16 also has a drain system which includes a drain line 120 which is connected to a T -fitting 121. A vertical line 122 extends upwardly from the T-fitting 121 and opens through the bottom 17 of the quench tank. As is best shown in FIGURE 1, the pipe 122 opens into the quench tank 16 adjacent the right end thereof and to the right of the 'bafile 41. The pipe 122 forms a drain line.

A second drain line 123 is connected to the bottom 17 of the quench tank to the right of the baflie 40. A third drain line 124 is connected to the bottom 17 of the quench tank to the left of the bafiie 40. A pipe 125 is connected to the drain line 124 and runs horizontally towards the drain line 123 through a T-fitting 126 which is coupled to the drain line 123. A line 127 extends from the T-fitting 126 to a fitting 128 which has a branch thereof coupled to a line 129 which, in turn, is connected to the T-fitting 121. A valve 130 is incorporated in the line 127 to control the flow of water therethrough.

The quench tank also includes a water circulating system which includes a pump 131. The pump 131 is connected to an upper portion of the quench tank 16 to the left of the baffie 38 by a line 132. A line 133 extends from the outlet side of the pump 131 to a T-fitting 134. A line 135 extends from the T-fitting first horizontally and then upwardly into the bottom 17 of the quench tank 16 to the left of the bafile 41. A valve 136 is disposed in the line 135 for controlling the return flow of Water into the tank 16.

A discharge line 137 is connected to the T-fitting 134 and first extends longitudinally of the quench tank 16 'therebeneath, then outwardly of the quench tank, and finally vertically alongside the quench tank. A valve 138 is disposed at the upper end of the line 137 for controlling the fiow of water therethrough. A line 139 is connected to the valve 133 and extends downwardly and inwardly under the quench tank 16, and is connected to the T-fitting 128. Thus, part of the water handled by the pump 131 may be pumped into the drain line 120.

As pointed out above, the normal circulation of water is from the left to the right end of the quench tank 16, as viewed in FIGURE 1. The water recirculating system aids in the circulation of the water from the left to the right in that it takes water from the central part of the quench tank 16 and delivers it to the quench tank adjacent the right end thereof. During the normal operation of the quench tank, water continues to flow over the bafile 41 and down through the drain line 122. In this manner, water is continuously circulated through the quench tank. However, if it is desired to accelerate the circulation of water through the quench tank, the valve 135 may be opened and portions of the circulated water pumped down through the drain line 120. The proportion of water recirculated and that pumped into the drain line 1211 is controlled .by the valve 136, as well as the valve 138. When it is desired to completely drain the quench tank 21, the valve will be opened.

The water removed from the sheets by the squeegee rolls 87, S8, 95, 96 will drain into the tank extension 42 and as the tank extension 42 fills up, the water will be directed into the quench tank 16 to the right of the bat-lie 4% from where it will drain down through the drain line 1 0.

At times, it may be desired to heat the water within the quench tank 16, particularly at the initiation of a run. To this end, a drain line 141 is connected to the bottom 17 of the quench tank 16 in the central portion thereof. A return line 142 is connected to the bottom 17 of the tank 16 adjacent the right end thereof. The lines 141 and 142 are connected to a suitable conventional heater and circulating system 149 (FIGURES 7 and 10) for initially heating the water within the quench tank 16. Incidentally, the lines 141 and 142 may be interchanged, if desired.

From the foregoing description of the water control system for the quench tank, it will be readily apparent that the water within the quench tank may be retained at the desired temperature for the most efficient operation thereof. The several valves provided permit the flow of water through the quench tank to be varied so as to supply the necessary cool incoming water to compensate for the heat added to the Water in the quench tank by the lowering of the temperature of the metal sheets passing therethrough.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 14, wherein there is illustrated a jet nozzle 143 which is directed towards a sheet guide structure 144. The sheet guide structure 144 may be any of the guide assemblies previously described and disposed below the surface of the water within the quench tank 16. The jet nozzle 143 is one of a plurality of jet nozzles which may .be arranged in transverse alignment across the quench tank at desired intervals. The jet nozzles 143 will direct streams of water onto the sheets as they pass over the guide structure 144 and serve to urge the sheets downwardly against the guide structure intermediate the various drive rolls 46. In other words, the jet nozzles 143 will supplement the magnetic features of the drive rolls in holding down the sheets against the guide system so that the sheets will maintain their predetermined course in the passage thereof through the quench tank.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is again directed to the fact that variations may be made in the example apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A quench apparatus for thin metal sheets comprising a quench tank, conveyor means carried by said quench tank and defining a generally concave path for sheets to assure the submergence of sheets below the level of quench liquid within said quench tank, said conveyor means including sheet hold down means assuring the following of the path by sheets, said conveyor means being of the multiple roller type and said hold down means being in the form of cylindrical magnets forming parts of said conveyor means rollers.

2. A quench apparatus for thin metal sheets comprising a quench tank, conveyor means carried by said quench tank and defining a generally concave path for sheets to assure the 'submergence of sheets below the level of quench liquid within said quench tank, said conveyor means including a plurality of driven shafts extending transversely across said tank, and each of said shafts having spaced roller portions for engaging the under sides of sheets, each of said roller portions being magnetic to attract sheets and hold the sheets down for movement along said path.

3. The quench apparatus of claim 2 wherein each roller portion includes magnetic parts of different magnetic polarity orientation separated by an intermediate insulating part with there being a sheet attractive magnetic field between the magnetic parts of each roller portion.

4. A quench apparatus for rapidly cooling thin metal sheets comprising a quench tank, a plurality of longitudinally aligned and transversely spaced sheet guides in said quench tank for directing sheets through said quench tank, and driven conveyor means in said quench tank for conveying sheets through said quench tank, said conveyor means being of the multiple driven roller type and including a plurality of roller units, each of said roller units including a shaft and spaced roller portions mounted therein, said roller portions being aligned with, located between and projecting up and between said transversely spaced sheet guides for driving sheets, said roller portions being in the form of sheet attracting magnets for holding sheets in engagement with said sheet guides.

5. A quench apparatus for rapidly cooling thin metal sheets comprising a quench tank, a plurality of longitudinally aligned and transversely spaced sheet guides in said quench tank for directing sheets through said quench tank, and driven conveyor means in said quench tank for conveying sheets through said quench tank, said conveyor means being of the multiple driven roller type and including a plurality of roller units, each of said roller units including a shaft and spaced roller portions mounted therein, said roller portions being aligned with, located between and projecting up and between said transversely spaced sheet guides for driving sheets, said roller portions being in the form of sheet attracting magnets for holding sheets in engagement with said sheet guides, each of said roller portions including magnetic roller parts of different magnetic polarity orientation and an intermediate insulating roller part with there being a sheet attractive magnetic field between the magnetic roller parts of each roller portion.

6. A quench apparatus for rapidly cooling thin metal sheets comprising a quench tank having a plurality of quenching areas entrance and exit ends, a quench liquid within said tank through which sheets are to be passed, and means for controlling the temperature of said quench liquid within said quench tank including a cool quench liquid supply adjacent said entrance end, a quench liquid drain adjacent said exit end, and a quench liquid recirculating system including means for varying the temperature of the quench liquid in the plurality of quenching areas of said quench tank, said means further including a plurality of transverse bafiles across said tank defining said plurality of quenching areas and controlling the natural circulation of quench liquid within said quench tank.

7. The quench apparatus of claim 6 together with means for heating said quench liquid to the desired operating temperature.

8. The quench apparatus of claim 6 wherein said quench liquid recirculating system is connected to said drain whereby controlled portions of said quench liquid may be directed to said drain.

9. The quench apparatus of claim 6 wherein said quench tank is provided with sheet feed means for feeding sheets longitudinally through said quench tank and below the surface of the quench liquid.

10. A quench apparatus for rapid cooling thin metal sheets comprising an elongated quench tank, sheet support means extending below the liquid level of said quench tank for supporting sheets passing through said quench tank, said sheet support means being in the form of elongated longitudinally extending and transversely spaced guides, conveyor means between and in alignment with said guides for sliding individual sheets along said guides, and transversely aligned means for uniformly urging sheets down onto said guides.

11. A quench apparatus for rapid cooling thin metal sheets comprising an elongated quench tank, sheet support means extending below the liquid level of said quench tank for supporting sheets passing through said quench tank, said sheet support means being in the form of elongated longitudinally extending and transversely spaced guides, conveyor means underlying said guides for sliding individual sheets along said guides, and quench liquid jet means disposed below the quench liquid level of said quench tank and above said guides for urging sheets down onto said guides.

12. A quench apparatus for rapid cooling thin metal sheets comprising an elongated quench tank, sheet support means extending below the liquid level of said quench tank for supporting sheets passing through said quench tank, said sheet support means being in the form of elongated longitudinally extending and transversely spaced guides, and integral sheet hold down means and sheet conveying means between said guides for holding sheets in engagement with said guides while moving sheets along said guides.

13. The quench apparatus of claim 12 wherein said combined sheet hold down means and sheet conveying means are in the form of a drive roller assembly includ ing a plurality of rollers extending transversely across said quench tank and driven in unison, each of said rollers including a shaft and a plurality of spaced roller portions with each roller portion extending up between two adjacent ones of said guides and being generally tangential to the path of movement of sheets over said guides, each of said roller portions being in the form of two permanent magnets separated by an insulating intermediate part and having opposite oriented magnetic polarity to provide a sheet attracting a magnetic field between said roller portions.

14. A quench tank unit for rapidly cooling thin metal sheets comprising an elongated tank having end bafiies adjacent the entrance and discharge ends thereof, the entrance end bafHe extending above the liquid level of said tank and the discharge end baffle extending to the liquid level, intermediate bafiies restricting longitudinal flow of quench liquid in said tank, a cold water line connected to said tank between said entrance end and said entrance end bafile with cold water flowing into the main portion of said tank over said entrance end baflle, a first drain line connected to said tank intermediate said discharge end and said discharge end bafile for receiving excess quench liquid flowing over said discharge end baflie, a plurality of additional drain lines connected to the intermediate portion of said tank and to said first drain line, a return flow line connected to said tank and a drain, valve means connecting said first drain line to said return flow line and said drain for selectively directing the excess quench liquid thereto, a circulating pump connected in said return flow line.

15. The quench tank unit of claim 14 wherein a spray nozzle unit extends transversely of said tank adjacent the entrance end thereof and above the path of sheets entering into said tank, and means connecting spray nozzle to said cold water line whereby sheets are initially chilled before entering into the tank.

16. A quench apparatus for rapidly cooling thin metal sheets comprising an elongated quench tank, sheet sup port means extending below the liquid level of said quench tank for supporting sheets passing through said quench tank, said sheet support means being in the form of elongated longitudinally extending and transversely spaced guides, conveyor means between and in alignment with said guides for sliding individual sheets along said guides, means for urging sheets down onto said guides, said sheet urging means including first and second urging means, said first urging means forming a portion of said conveyor means and said second urging means being spaced in overlying cooperative urging relationship with respect to said first urging means whereby said second urging means supplements said first urging means for maintaining metal sheets on said guides.

17. The quenching apparatus of claim 16 wherein said first urging means includes sheet attracting magnets and said second urging means comprises quench liquid jet means.

18. A quenching apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said spaced guides are terminated at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal extent of said guides forming terminal guide portions and said terminal guide portions being longitudinally co-extensive thereby forming the continuous uninterrupted sheet support means.

19. The quench apparatus of claim 6 wherein said quench tank has a bottom and certain of said transverse bafiles are spaced from said bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 244,153 Spear July 12, 1881 1,034,200 Carroll July 30, 1912 1,384,311 Follinger July 12, 1921 1,488,553 Peacock Apr. 1, 1924 1,853,788 Twomley Apr. 12, 1932 2,276,472 Eberhart Mar. 17, 1942 2,348,232 Trautman May 9, 1944 2,380,550 Reed July 31, 1945 2,529,762 Brisse Nov. 14, 1950 2,601,863 Murphy July 1, 1952 2,624,353 Thorn Jan. 6, 1953 2,635,614 Ford Apr. 21, 1953 2,697,050 Barnes Dec. 14, 1954 2,724,955 Spooner Nov. 29, 1955 2,800,420 Dunlevy July 23, 1957 2,967,473 Good Jan. 10, 1961 

1. A QUENCH APPARATUS FOR THIN METAL SHEETS COMPRISING A QUENCH TANK, CONVEYOR MEANS CARRIED BY SAID QUENCH TANK AND DEFINING A GENERALLY CONCAVE PATH FOR SHEETS TO ASSURE THE SUBMERGENCE OF SHEETS BELOW THE LEVEL OF QUENCH LIQUID WITHIN SAID QUENCH TANK, SAID CONVEYOR MEANS INCLUDING SHEET HOLD DOWN MEANS ASSURING THE FOLLOWING OF THE PATH BY SHEETS, SAID CONVEYOR MEANS BEING OF THE MULTIPLE ROLLER TYPE AND SAID HOLD DOWN MEANS BEING IN THE FORM OF CYLINDRICAL MAGNETS FORMING PARTS OF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS ROLLERS. 